Anthroposophic Medicine
ANOTHER TYPE OF MEDICINE
A Holistic View of Health and the Human Being
Anthroposophy was founded by Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925). He also made important contributions in a number of other domains and was the founder of Waldorf education and biodynamic farming.
Anthroposophic medicine was inspired by homeopathy in the way the remedies are prepared: it uses only natural substances which are diluted and potentised. Homeopathy is an empirical science—all its theory was derived from experiment and observation. Anthroposophy, in contrast, holds a deep understanding of the physiology of the human being which spans not only the physical dimension but also the vital energy level and the soul and spiritual dimension.
Anthroposophy views human beings as part of nature and subject to the same formative forces observed in plants, animals, and the natural world. Both illness and disease are processes of nature. By understanding these natural forces deeply and their reflection in human physiology, we can employ natural processes to work curatively in the body.
In contrast to homeopathy, anthroposophic training is limited to those who are already medical doctors. This is because an understanding of physiology, biology, and pathology is essential to grasp the full depth of the human being.
Anthroposophical Medicines
Anthroposophical medicines are made from natural substances such as plants and minerals, used in a diluted potentised form.
Anthroposophical medicines do not have side effects in the same way as pharmaceutical drugs, as their action is not to block the chemical pathways but to stimulate body’s innate healing potential. Remedies are taken orally as liquid medicine, or subcutaneous injection, or as skin creams.
Origins of Anthroposophical Medicine
The principles of Anthroposophic medicine and philosophy were laid down 100 years ago by the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925). Rudolph Steiner is also the initiator of Waldorf Education Steiner schools and Biodynamic farming. Steiner’s philosophy was supported by Dutch doctor Ita Wegman (1876-1943) who is the co-founder of Weleda the major supplier of anthroposophical medicines in Europe.
How widespread is Anthroposophic Medicine?
- Anthroposophic Medicine is prescribed by qualified doctors in 24 hospitals in Europe, 14 major hospitals have an A&E department, and 2 hospitals are teaching hospitals.
- There are over 2,700 fully trained licensed medical doctors of Anthroposophical Medicine in EU.
- Anthroposophic Medicine is prescribed by 15,000 trained physicians beyond Europe who are fully trained in Anthroposophic Medicine.
- Anthroposophic Medicine is a widespread medicinal approach in Germany prescribed by hospital doctors and GPs.
- Until recently there were anthroposophical GP practices in UK. Anthroposophic Medicine is no longer provided on NHS by GPs so Doctors trained in Anthroposophic Medicine in UK are able to provide it in private practice.
- Anthroposophic movement and art therapies are offered to support people with learning difficulties in more than 500 institutions in Europe that provide day care and residential support.
- Anthroposophic therapies are provided by more than 7,000 therapists In Europe, in other therapeutic branches of the medicine system including movement therapy and art therapy.
Core principles
HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES |
ANTHROPOSOPHIC REMEDIES |
| Made from natural substances from nature (plant, animal, mineral sources). |
Same. |
| Substances are highly diluted (hundreds or thousands of times) and potentised. |
Substances are diluted and potentised (using a decimal scale, not as highly diluted as homeopathy). |
| Homeopathic Remedies do not have side effects like chemical drugs as their action is not to block the chemical pathways but to stimulate body’s healing potential. |
Same. |
| Constitutional prescribing for a person is by a single remedy whose similarity matches the symptoms. For acute or chronic ailments, they may prescribe more than one remedy individually in a sequence. |
Anthroposophic Medicines are often a combination of substances combined into one medicine for a specific illness. The various ingredients are chosen to address a specific pathological process. |
| Homeopathic Remedies are taken orally as tablets, pills, or liquid drops. |
Anthroposophic Medicines are given orally, as liquid medicine to take in water, or subcutaneous as creams or ointments. (Some antroposophic medicines are used intravenously in hospitals) |
| Homeopathic remedies address the person as a whole including their mental, emotional and physical symptoms. |
Anthroposophic Medicines address the pathology in conjunction with the person’s constitution, life force vitality and emotional aspects. |
| Homeopathic remedies address the person as a whole being including their mental, emotional and physical symptoms. |
Anthroposophic Medicines address the pathology in conjunction with the person’s constitution, life force vitality and emotional aspects. |